Review

Friedel W. Böhler
Italienisch für Fortgeschrittene 1: Italian arias for advanced level 1

Halberstadt, , Germany
Publisher: Musikverlag Bruno Uetz
Date of Publication: 2011

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano
Secondary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with organ

This compilation comprises arrangements of five arias: Vittoria, Vittoria by Gian Giacomo Carissimi (1605-1674), Sebben, crudele by Antonio Caldara (1671-1763), Caro mio ben by Giuseppe Giordani (1744-1798), Se Florindo è fedele by Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725) and Cujus animam by Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868). 

These tuneful arias are presented in progressive order of difficulty and with alternating major and minor tonalities, all different. Range in Vittoria, Vittoria is c-f1. Seben crudele goes up to g1. Se Florindo features a greater complexity of dynamics and articulations than the previous selections. In Cujus animam, which is admirably suited to the trombone, range is extended to b-flat1 with ossia. Taken in order, these arias provide excellent instruction in developing good legato style and the student will have a repertoire of enjoyable recital pieces. Accompaniments are easy and suitable for piano, harpsichord or organ. Production from this publisher is excellent. My only caveat concerns the dal segno repeats in Vittoria, which I found confusing. The order of selections has been adjusted in the trombone part to avoid problematic page turns. 

Herr Böhler, formerly director of liturgical trombone choirs in Dresden, is now retired and living in Marburg, Germany. He has published extensively for trombone.

-Keith Davies Jones
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada